James and Vina Innes, who stay on Strawberry Bank, were visited by Councillor Start Pratt who presented flowers on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council.

Vina said their marriage being “contended, with some give and take” was key to its longevity. She added: “It seems like yesterday, the years have flown by.”

The pair married when James was 20 and Vina was 21 at the West Association Church, which is now Trinity Church, on St Peter street.

James Innes ISM (Imperial Service Medal, an award for ‘services to the crown’) was a prison nurse officer for 30 years, which moved them all over the country; from Glasgow to Inverness and four times at Peterhead.

They have two sons, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Instead of presents, they asked for donations to be made to Collieburn Outreach, an Alzheimer’s charity.